There were a couple notable developments regarding the Sharks’ coaching search on Wednesday morning.
First, the club is officially out on Mike Babcock, per ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun. The most sought after free agent coach in recent memory will reportedly head to Toronto.
Despite Babcock initiating discussions with the Sharks, the marriage seemed unlikely. In a rare public appearance on May 8, Sharks owner Hasso Plattner said that “cost in general is an issue” regarding the team, and reports are that Babcock’s deal in Toronto is worth as much as $50 million over eight years.
Further, Babcock and former Sharks head coach Todd McLellan, his former assistant in Detroit, remain tight.